Second KFC store to open

FAST food chain KFC has announced plans to build a second store in the town which will see it go head-to-head with McDonald's.

The firm wants to demolish the old MacLellan House office block on Clews Road - next to the Oakenshaw McDonald's - and build a new drive-thru restaurant with the creation of up to 40 full and part-time jobs.

It is proposed the restaurant, which will have space for 70 people, will operate between 6am and midnight Sunday to Thursday and from 6am until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. The company's existing restaurant on Trafford Retail Park will remain open.

KFC argue as MacLellan House has been empty for at least four years the new restaurant will provide much needed jobs and is an appropriate location as it is next to the existing McDonald's drive-thru restaurant.

A spokesman for KFC said: "We can confirm we have submitted plans for a site in Oakenshaw, but we are still at a very early stage and so we can’t say too much at the moment.

"A new KFC would generate between 30 to 40 jobs for the local community and we hope to have some good news soon."

A planning application has been submitted to Redditch Borough Council and is currently being assessed by planners and is likely to go before the council's planning committee at a future date.